Advice needed for starting Utrogestan - can I start on CD 22?

[HyacinthineMacaw]

I’m about to start taking HRT for the first time because my symptoms are so debilitating that I’m not functional at all - so I need to get started as soon as I can, ideally.

Given recent supply issues, I’ve only just got hold of my meds after a month of waiting. I’m now on cycle day 22, and am supposed to take Utrogestan between days 15 and 26.

I’ve checked the patient leaflet and done some searching online, but can’t get an answer as to whether it’s okay to start both the Evorel and the Utrogestan now, and then leave the Utrogestan off in just a few days when I get to day 26. Has anyone done this?

I don’t know if it would be better to wait until my period starts, start the Evorel then, and then the Utrogestan from day 15 of that cycle? It will mean I am waiting yet another week or so to get started, but to my logical brain (what remains of it) it seems safer to do so.

Do any of you have any experience that might help? I will call the dispensary on Monday to see if I can get an answer (attached to my GP surgery, so not open today, natch!) if nobody has had the same experience. Thank you!

I don't know the answer but I personally was in a similar position last year and I waited until I got to day 28 as I was going to do a 28 day cycle and am now doing that with the patches and the utrogestan. I think it would maybe take a bit longer to notice the positive effects if you kind of try and force your body to go onto a different cycle earlier?

I'd wait until you get to day 28 so only 6 days then start the next day as day 1 with the patches and then the utrogestan at day 15 for 12 days until day 26 then wait til day 28 and start again. That's what I did and it's working well.

It's the estrogen that eases the symptoms the most I think too. No need to introduce the progesterone for symptom control until 15 days after you put the first patch on I reckon - it's only for pretection for the uterus, it's the estrogen patches that improve the horrible symptoms you're having. Hold on for a few more days if you can then start the patches. Hopefully you will feel.muvh better really quickly, I did. X

Or if you can wait, just start the Evorel patches today and call that day 1 then start the utrogestan at day 15-26. I'm not sure what will happen with your bleeding though if you're still regular.

I didn't find the utrogestan very pleasant, initially, and it took a good few months to get used to it so I really would not start off on that, especially if you're feeling terrible at the moment.

I'm on cycle 6 now and all good. Started cycle 1 as I actually ended up in A and E thinking I might be having a heart attack as was so bad. I started the patches that night and felt much better quite quickly, before I had to start taking the utrogestan.

Can't wait!

Really helpful, thank you so much. Because I’m still so regular (bummer) I sort of feel that it’s best not to fight my natural cycle, so I think that if I can hold off a few more days and start the patches on day 1 then it’ll keep things in as much order as they are now - plus it won’t mess up the amounts I get with each prescription.

Fingers crossed it helps!

That's what I would do too and I really hope it's helps. What does of Evorel patch did they give you? Mine is the lowest 25mg but I'm sure I felt better even before I started the utrogestan.

I found the utrogestan pretty rough for the first few months, it really wiped me out and made me feel really sluggish in the morning. But this month it been fine so you may need to bear with it as I think it can take awhile to get used to.

Thank you! Yes, I’m starting on Evorel 25 too. If I can get some relief within a couple of weeks that would be amazing! To be honest, I will be delighted if the Utrogestan has a sedative effect because I am barely sleeping now and would give my right arm for a proper night’s sleep. And it might chill out my anxiety, too, which is also exhausting.